Home Remedy Flea Treatment for Cats
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Fleas are little pests that just don’t want to go away. Once it seems like you have gotten rid of them, there are a dozen more. There are lots of different treatments on the market that you can use on your cat. Many of these treatments use strong chemicals which can be very harsh on your cat’s health and well being.
Not only are they dangerous, but they can also be very expensive and not all of them will be effective. Before surrendering to these harsh products, I’ll list a few effective home remedies for flea treatment in cats that you can try out yourself. First lets take a look at what attracts fleas in the first place.
What is a Flea?
A flea is a very small insect that you can identify by their dark black/brown color and very small size. You are able to see adult fleas with the naked eye. If you see one, there is a very high chance that there will be many more around. Fleas transfer from host to host by jumping or leaping. It is a common misconception that fleas can fly. A flea cannot fly, but can jump very well.
Why Does My Cat Have Fleas?
Fleas can be found anywhere. They can be found in your home or yard regardless of the time of the year, and whether there are pets present or not. Fleas are able to survive in the cold for several months by laying dormant. Why the fleas are inactive, they are waiting for a few things to happen. They are lying dormant until an optimal breeding condition is met or a suitable host is available. This is where your little cat comes into play.
The most optimal condition for fleas to breed in is in hot and humid weather. Your cat’s fur coat makes the perfect host for fleas to thrive and breed in. This makes the United States a great host for fleas due to our weather year round. In other areas, fleas are most common only during the summer months.
Signs and Symptoms of Fleas
- Itching – You will have a strong sensation to itch certain areas of your body. Sometimes uncontrollably.
- Redness – The affected areas of your body will have redness along with a small welt on the skin.
- Flea Dirt – Flea dirt is the feces from adult fleas. These will usually be spotted on your cat near the base of the tail, should, or jaw.
- Fresh Blood – You will be able to see fresh or dried up blood on the skin or fur of your cat.
Home Remedies for Flea Treatment
Once you have identified that your cat has fleas, it’s time to react before the situation gets out of hand. Starting treatment as soon as possible will ensure that all the fleas are killed along with their eggs and help stop the life cycle of the fleas from returning.
Clean Your Home
Keeping your home free of dirt and dust is an easy way to help keep fleas away. Make sure you clean hard to clean places like the insides of couches, corners, and your carpet. When you vacuum your home, you will kill any fleas or eggs that may have started growing in the carpet. Don’t forget to clean all pet bedding as well as any pet furniture.
Use a Flea Comb
This flea comb from amazon is cheap and works just fine.
Use the comb starting from your cat’s head and combing all the way down to the base of the tail. After each pass through of your cat, remove any fleas or eggs accumulated on the brush by dipping it into a cup of water. You will need to comb your cat on a daily basis until there are no longer any fleas present on your cat.
Bathe Your Cat
Fill a bath or sink with warm water. Gently place your cat in the water and wait until they are completely soaked. Once your cat is fully soaked, apply a gentle shampoo to his coat and rub in firmly. Keep the shampoo on your cat for a few minutes before rinsing. Once your cat is dry, go ahead and use a flea comb to remove any remaining fleas. Repeat this at least once a week or on a as needed basis.
Vinegar Spray
A simple vinegar spray is effective at killing adult fleas on contact. To make this spray, simply combine 1 cup of distilled white vinegar with 1 quart of warm water. Add the vinegar and water into a spray bottle and gently shake it. Spray your cat gently all over his body. Avoid sensitive areas like the genitals and face. Continue to spray your cat once everyday until the fleas are cleared up.
Table Salt
Yes that’s right. Plain old table salt. Sprinkle the salt around your home in areas you suspect there to be fleas. Places like furniture, pet bedding, drapes, and carpet. You can even take a small amount of salt and apply it directly to your cat’s fur. Just make sure the salt comes in contact with your cat’s skin. Leave the salt around your house for a few days before you vacuum it up. It’s best to repeat this flea treatment about twice per week.
Flea Trap
This is another great home remedy flea treatment for cats. You will need an aluminum pie pan, dish soap, and a half a cup of water. Start by adding a good amount of soap to the pie pan. Add in the water and gently stir. Place this flea trap in an area where you suspect a lot of fleas. Keep the trap or multiple traps in the same spot for a week. Monitor the traps at the end of the week and replace them with fresh traps as needed.
Lavender Spray
lavender spray is also another great spray you can use as a home remedy for flea treatment. Simply combine 1 bunch of fresh lavender into a mason jar filled with water. Let the lavender and water soak overnight. Strain the lavender from the water and place the water into a spray bottle. Then simply spray your cat with this mixture and let it dry. Studies have shown that a simple lavender spray is just as effective at treating fleas as a flea repellent that contains DEET.
